The Best Homemade Beef Gravy Recipe (How to Make Brown Gravy) (2024)

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The Best Homemade Beef Gravy – Here’s an easy recipe for how to make classic (gluten free!) brown gravy that’s great to enjoy with potatoes, noodles, sandwiches, or nearly any side dish!

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Why We Love This Gravy Recipe

If you are having a true down-home comfort food dinner there has to be a bowl of gravy on the table. It’s the best friend of nearly any carb, from fluffy potatoes to tender noodles, and all the good stuff (like stuffing!) in between. A great gravy adds delicious flavor and that *something extra* that every meal needs.

This is a super simple Homemade Brown Beef Gravy recipe that will give you all the cozy and yummy feels. It is made with only a handful of pantry staples, like cornstarch, and is a gluten-free gravy that’s smooth and luscious. We also add a splash of cooking sherry for a deeply savory, slightly sweet, and rich flavor. I promise you’ll never buy processed gravy packets again after getting a taste of this.

The brown gravy is easy to cook in one pot in less than 10 minutes. Stir up a batch and ladle it over beef recipes with your favorite side dishes, or use it as a dip for sandwiches. Whatever floats your (gravy) boat!

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Ingredients You Need

Butter – unsalted
Cornstarch – for a gluten-free beef gravy recipe
Worcestershire sauce – for that deep beefy, savory flavor
Cooking sherry – optional, but highly recommended
Spices – onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper
Beef stock – store-bought or try our Homemade Beef Consommé

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How to Make Beef Gravy from Scratch

Set a large sauté pan over medium heat.Add the butter, cornstarch, onion powder, and garlic powder.

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Then add Worcestershire sauce and sherry.

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Whisk in the beef broth as the butter melts.

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Continue to whisk as the gravy thickens into your desired consistency, approximately 5 to 8 minutes.

Get the Complete (Printable) Beef Brown Gravy Recipe Below. Enjoy!

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Taste, then salt and pepper as needed. Serve warm.

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Serving Suggestions

This easy brown gravy recipe is great to make as an accompaniment to all kinds of side dishes and sandwiches. Here are a few ideas of what to serve beef gravy with:

Best Mashed Potatoes
Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Baked Potatoes
Stuffing in a Bundt Pan
Meatballs and egg noodles
Steak
Beef Sandwiches
Chopped Steak

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Recipe Variations and Tips

Want extra dark brown gravy? Add 1 teaspoon of beef base to this recipe.
Make this a dairy free beef gravy recipe by swapping butter with a plant-based alternative.
To avoid clumping we suggest starting with cold stock from the fridge. Another great way to prevent clumping is to add the cornstarch to the beef broth and whisk well before pouring it into the pan!
Don’t stop whisking! The key to a perfectly smooth beef gravy is to let it slowly heat up while you whisk constantly. This blends in the cornstarch and butter without any “breaking” (AKA butter separating).

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is beef gravy the same as brown gravy?

Yes, the names are interchangeable. Both are made with beef, and both are brown. :)

Is country gravy the same as brown gravy?

No, these are not the same. Beef gravy recipes include stock and cornstarch for a thinner consistency. Country gravy is made with flour and milk and is often a white color – which is why it’s also known as white gravy.

How long do leftovers last?

Homemade gravy will keep well for up to 4 or 5 days in the fridge. Let it cool completely before transferring it to a container with a lid and placing it in the refrigerator.

What is the best way to reheat homemade beef gravy?

Microwave the gravy in short 20-second bursts at 50% power. Stir between each burst, and serve once warmed throughout.

Reheat on the stovetop in a small sauce pot over low heat, stirring frequently.

Add a splash of water or stock to the gravy if it seems a bit thick when reheating.

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Looking for More of the Best Retro Recipes? Be Sure to Also Try:

Apple Cider Turkey Gravy
Espagnole Sauce (Demi Glace Recipe)
How to Make Marinara Sauce
Homemade Creamy Pesto
How to Make Vegetable Stock

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Easy Beef Gravy Recipe (How to Make Brown Gravy)

Prep Time: 3 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes minutes

Ingredients

US Customary – Metric

4 tablespoons butter
4 tablespoons cornstarch
1 ½ tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon cooking sherry optional
2 teaspoons onion powder
2 teaspoon garlic powder
4 cups beef stock
Salt and pepper

Instructions

Set a large sauté pan over medium heat.
Add the butter, cornstarch, Worcestershire sauce, optional sherry, onion powder, garlic powder, and beef stock. Whisk the cornstarch into the beef broth as the butter melts.
Continue to whisk as the gravy thickens into your desired consistency, approximately 5 to 8 minutes. Taste, then salt and pepper as needed.

Notes

Want extra dark brown gravy? Add 1 teaspoon of beef base to this recipe.

Homemade gravy will keep well for up to 4 or 5 days in the fridge. Let it cool completely before transferring it to a container with a lid and placing it in the refrigerator.

To reheat: Microwave the gravy in short 20-second bursts at 50% power. Stir between each burst, and serve once warmed throughout. Reheat on the stovetop in a small sauce pot over low heat, stirring frequently.

Add a splash of water or stock to the gravy if it seems a bit thick when reheating.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.25c, Calories: 88kcal, Carbohydrates: 7g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 6g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 2g, Trans Fat: 0.2g, Cholesterol: 15mg, Sodium: 325mg, Potassium: 265mg, Fiber: 0.3g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 177IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 19mg, Iron: 1mg

Course: Condiment, Main, Main Course

Cuisine: American, Southern

Author: Sommer Collier

Making this recipe?Follow us on Instagram and tag @ASpicyPerspective so we can share what you’re cooking!

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The Best Homemade Beef Gravy Recipe (How to Make Brown Gravy) (2024)

FAQs

How do I make my gravy more brown? ›

To make dark brown beef gravy, cook the roux even longer (but at a lower temperature) until it's a dark color with a nutty aroma. Then use beef broth or beef juices to make your gravy.

Why is my brown gravy not thickening? ›

If it doesn't thicken enough, it's a sign that you need more cornstarch. Whisk in more cornstarch slurry a little at a time, and let each addition come to a simmer before adding more.

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Why is my gravy not brown? ›

The color of the finished roux will determine the color of the gravy. To make a roux, cook the flour in oil, butter or pan drippings. Heat the roux long enough for the color to deepen a little darker than the desired color of the gravy. Darker roux produces a deeper, richer flavor.

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How do you make brown gravy darker? ›

The real gravy starts with the fats and drippings from what ever protein you cooked. Then on med-high heat sprinkle all purpose flour onto the pan. Stirring until the liquid and flour is a really think paste. Now the longer you cook the Rue, the darker it becomes.

Keep Reading ›

How can I darken gravy without browning? ›

Dark roux

That dark roux can be used as a browning sauce substitute because it will add a similar taste and color to your recipe, enhancing the depth without adding too much thickening power. It's important to note that roux is made with flour, so using it as a substitute means your dish will no longer be gluten-free.

Why is my gravy brown not white? ›

Brown gravy is usually made with the drippings of whatever meat you cooked (roast, chicken, turkey etc..), and spices. It could also be made from stock if not using meat. A white gravy is more cream based, so you'd use cream, and butter, some flour perhaps.. some may even use mushroom soup or the like.